http://www.redcrossblood.org/summerneed
The Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June 2012. This shortfall leaves the Red Cross with half the readily available blood products on hand now than this time last year (2011).
The Red Cross is calling on all eligible blood donors – now more than ever – to roll up a sleeve and give as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.
An unseasonably early start to spring may be a contributing factor to this year’s decrease in donations. Many regular donors got an early start on summer activities and aren’t taking time to give blood or platelets.
In addition, this year’s mid-week Independence Day holiday (Wednesday July 4) has reduced the number of scheduled Red Cross blood drives. Many sponsors, especially businesses are unable to host drives because employees are taking extended vacations.
Unfortunately, patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood products. The need is constant.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, premature babies – when there are complications during childbirth – and for patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
More explanation in an email plea:
Many blood donors answered the call and came out to donate when they heard our emergency appeal for donations earlier this summer. Thanks to generous donors and dedicated blood drive sponsors, the blood supply deficit has been reduced by 30 percent. However, a large deficit remains and there continues to be an emergency need for all blood types this summer.
If at least three extra donors gave blood at every Red Cross drive over the next few weeks, above what the drives expect to collect, there would be enough blood on the shelves to meet patient needs.
With your support we can reverse the decline in donations, replenish the blood supply, and ensure an adequate blood supply for patients all summer long.
Please make and keep your appointment to donate blood, and encourage others to give, too. And if something comes up and you can’t keep your appointment, ask someone to give in your place!
received 10 a.m. Sat. 8/18/2012
Post a Comment